Art Attack! Q&A with Curator Mummy Zoe Whitley

I just love Zoe, she’s effervescent, intelligent, creative and mummy to one of the cutest little girls ever. She’s also incredibly stylish and has the impressive role as Curator for Contemporary Art at the Tate. Here she discusses her love for avant-gard fashion, shopping designer bargains on eBay and her secret beauty weapon.

Zoe stunning in prints with her adorable daughter

How has motherhood changed your style?

I don’t think it’s changed, really. I once jokingly described my style to a friend as “the black Helena Bonham Carter.” I don’t shy away from a bold look, pattern, colour or awkward proportion when dressing. I’ve never been one for body-con, figure hugging styles – even when, in retrospect, I might have pulled it off in my youth.

My favourite designer is Duro Olowu for his use of colour and pattern. I do love a bit of Belgian avant-garde if I can find it on the racks of posh charity shops or whatever’s past-season, heavily discounted at a sample sale or re-sold online. Dries Van Noten’s mix of references work even when they shouldn’t (19th century etchings, rhinestones and images taken at night by contemporary photographer James Reeve should be bonkers but the results are incredibly wearable).

If I like an article of clothing I will wear it for years regardless of trends. I love a bargain and recently bought a Sonia Rykiel hat on eBay I’ve wanted since 2006. But those are my wardrobe highlights. I live in jeans and t-shirts most of the time.

Are there any post-baby body areas you struggle with? Or love?

Style After Nine calls it “mum tum”. While I’m pretty much the same size as before, my shape has changed considerably for the rounder. I adore food and abhor exercise so I’m not helping myself. It’s me rather than motherhood!

Does working in the art world put added pressure to be creative with your working wardrobe?

I think the reality of being a curator is less glamorous than the perception. We’re not all camera-ready every day. A major benefit of the sector is that there’s tremendous scope to just “do you.” I just really like getting dressed for work – particularly now that my daughter’s far beyond the phase where my entire wardrobe stays encrusted with Weetabix.

What are your working wardrobe essentials?

A close friend was too leggy for an Osman Yousefzada denim tent dress and gave it to me. I wear it constantly. Clarks are great for shoes that don’t kill your feet. If I’m wearing jeans, I normally pair them with a smart-ish blazer or cardigan. I mostly throw on a dress because it’s one-and-done dressing; cutting out the mental exertion required to put items together. Cos is great. I aspire to have only a few brilliant pieces like a fashion editor’s capsule wardrobe but I don’t think it’s going to happen!

What’s the hardest thing you’ve found to maintain in your beauty regime?

Being consistent. Whether to deep condition my hair, apply moisturiser and under-eye concealer or even drink enough water – staying hydrated is my perpetual failed resolution – totally depends on variables like the school run, my commute, and deadlines, so they’re the first to go when I get busy.

What are your can’t live without beauty/ skincare products?

Long-wear lipstick is my secret weapon. I love the colour of Max Factor Lipfinity Royal Plum 6 {shop here}. It goes on like a permanent marker and it really does stay the course (though it’s very drying). YSL’s Lip Vernis {shop here} is maybe the most perfect cosmetic I’ve ever used. I stock up on Violet Edition and Rouge Pur Couture in airport Duty Free shops. I’m a lapsed user of Dr. Hauschka skincare {shop here} (see previous answer about regime inconsistency).

You have £20 in your pocket and fancy a style pick me up what do you buy?

If I’m honest, clothes for my daughter or a bottle of wine and a ready meal for two.

Where do you like to shop for your daughter?

My mom sends most of her clothing from the USA (a grandmother’s way of spoiling her grandchild from afar) but I like to check the rails at our local TK Maxx and at the opposite end, I wait for the sales and normally buy her one thing from Liberty.

What’s in your handbag?

Each of the three lipsticks I mentioned above; a bottle of water (usually untouched); Oyster Card; keys

How are you enjoying life as a working mum?

It depends on the moment! I took a full year of maternity leave and experienced what can only be called post-natal euphoria. I love being a mom. I really struggled my entire first year back at work. I spend time with many other working mothers for advice/ insight/ wine.

How many books have you written/ exhibitions curated since being a mummy? (how on earth do you do it?)

Like all of us, I just do my best. It’s not like I’m a novelist. My husband teasingly shared a
funny-because-it’s-true reference suggesting no one actually reads exhibition catalogues. I normally write short pieces that grow out of research I’m otherwise engaged in. That’s how I came to co-curate the Shadows Took Shape. Because I work in institutions, I’m not always initiating exhibitions but also executing projects that have been assigned to me: it’s my job though I really enjoy it. My real flurry of activity came in 2013. A lot of projects I’d proposed or had been researching for a long while came together.

Last year I worked on three publications: I was the sole author of ‘The Graphic World of Paul Peter Piech’ {shop here} but really the images are the stars. I co-authored ‘In Black and White: Prints From the African Diaspora’ {shop here} and this is the catalogue related to the last exhibition I co-curated in New York ‘The Shadows Took Shape’ {see here}.

I like working with other people, that’s truly why I do this kind of work. I couldn’t do any of these projects on my own.

Are you working on anything now?

It’s all research right now. Hopefully some of it will turn into books or artist projects. But it could literally take years before the next one materialises.

Are there any artists who are also mums to little ones?

I’ve recently been on studio visits with painter Anj Smith {See here}

How do you think motherhood is portrayed in art?

I recently saw an exhibition at the Photographers Gallery called Home Truths: Photography and Motherhood, curated by Susan Bright {see here}. Other than those iconic images of the Virgin and Child from the Renaissance, I don’t think motherhood is often centre stage in contemporary art practice.

Who’s your ultimate stylish mum?

Kelis is my current style crush because of every single look in the Jerk Ribs video. I was also pregnant around the same time she was. Meaningless and random fact, but the kind of info I retain.

SHOP ZOE’S LOOK